Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3782, Peleg Freeman, Conn. Privateer

SERVICE
607 m. Privater
Freeman, Pleg
NUMBER _____
Yr. 3782
CONTENTS

In the matter of the Application of Leleg Freeman for a Pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7 1832.
x x
115/3

DECLARATION IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF NEW-YORK, } COUNTY OF HERKIMER, } ss.
On this ninth day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the court of Common Pleas , now sitting, Pelez Freeman a resident of Germanflats in the county of Herkimer and State of New-York, aged 75 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That he was drafted into service in the month  first of April 1814 , in the Company of Captain Ezra Haines in the Town of Horton County of New London and State of Connecticut where this Applicant then resided. Colonel Ledyard , who was afterwards slain by General Arnold at Groton , commanded the Regiment. They were marched into the Fort at Groton in New London aforesaid, where this Applicant remained in service one month and was then verbally dismissed. At the expiration of the said month's service, this Applicant enlisted into the Corps of Artillery to do duty in said Fort Griswold for one year, under Captain Williams  Lathrop , the Lieutenant was Youngs Ledyard the brother of Colonel Ledyard who was also killed or mangled by order of Arnold at the taking of said Fort. The second Lieutenant was Brook Stanton , the Ensign was John Wayne . The Captain above named took command of the Fort under the supervision of Colonel Ledyard during the year of this Applicant's service under his said enlistment. That he remained in service in said Fort until the first of December following a period of seven months his enlistment being on the first of May 1814 , who that on the first of December aforesaid being the 5 remaining months of this year's enlistment this Applicant hired a substitute to serve his time out and returned to his home. The name of the substitute was Nathan Darrow who was afterwards killed at the taking of said Fort by Arnold . The next year in the month of May this Applicant enlisted as a Sailor on board the privateer Ship " Young Cromwell " and served in a cruise two months and and half. William Waller commanded the privateer " Young Cromwell ". Benjamin

Hilyard was the Sailing Master.
In the month of August 1750, and within two or three days after the return of this applicant from the cruise above stated, the father of this applicant was Samuel Freeman of Preston aforesaid was drafted as a militia man, and this applicant took the place of his father as a Substitute, and was marched to Fort Griswold in Groton aforesaid where he served the term of two months and was then verbally dismissed. His Captain in this cruise service was John Williams who was also afterwards massacred by order of Genl. Arnold at the taking of said Fort. Colonel Ledyard had the command. At the expiration of the above service and in the latter part of October 1750, this applicant again immediately entered the service as a Substitute for one Elisha Stanton who was at that time wishing to, and did enlist into a three years service. This applicant as such Substitute was marched under Captain James Averill, in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel Samuel Tyler to New London aforesaid, where this applicant served as first Corporal for two months, during which time they were engaged in building a Fort called Fort Tyler. This applicant was also a Corporal during the 7 months service above stated in the Corps of Artillery in said Fort Griswold in the year 1759, at Groton.
That this applicant during his several terms of service above specified was in no regular battle, and did not serve with any continental or regular regiments. This applicant has no documentary evidence of his services and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his services.
That he was born in the Town of Preston County of New London and State of Connecticut on the twenty third day of September 1757.
This applicant has a record of his age in his family Bible at his residence in the Town of German Flatts aforesaid. This applicant resided at Preston aforesaid when first called into service and continued to reside there during the war and until three years after, that he then removed to the Town of German Flatts in the County of Herkimer aforesaid where he has ever since resided. That he was first called into service as a drafted militia man. His next service was as an enlisted soldier for one year. His other two terms of land

service, were, the first time as a substitute for his father Samuel Freeman and the second time as a substitute for Nathan Darrow. He served once as a Sailor as above stated. The general circumstances of this applicant's service are stated above together with all the facts material to this application more recollectable. He is not sure if he was ever discharged from the service, but he knows he was never received a written discharge from the service.
This applicant served as a private soldier a part of the time and as a corporal the residue of his service. And this applicant says that during the periods of service above specified he was in actual service fifteen  fourteen months and an half, and that Nathan Darrow served for this applicant five months more being hired by this applicant, and that said Darrow was massacred at the taking of said Fort Griswold at Groton by Genl. Arnold.
He refers the court to Robert Shoemaker of Phil Germantown flats his present place of residence and the  Dan Chapman of Frankfort  of Hutchinson the adjoining town both of whom are well acquainted with this applicant and can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his having served in the Revolutionary war. That there is no clergyman residing in the vicinity of this applicant. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed this 15 th day of Decem r 1842. Deleg Freeman
We Robert Shoemaker residing in the Town of Dan Chapman  Phil Germantown flats in said County and the  the  Frankfort  of Hutchinson in said County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Deleg Freeman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 75 years of age, that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolutionary war, and that we concur in that opinion. Robert Shoemaker Dan Chapman Sworn to and subscribed this 15 th day of Decem r 1842.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Robert Shoemaker who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident of the Town of Germanflats, and that Dan Chapman who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Frankfort, and that they are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit, and also that there is no clergyman residing in the vicinity of the applicant, who can testify to his character for veracity &c.
I Julius C. Nelson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Herkimer do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Leleg Freeman for a Pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this ninth day of October A.D. 1832.
Julius C. Nelson Clerk

no 14573
Pelag Freeman Herkim 6 o N.Y.
4 terms - proof.
dead
repealed
Aaron Hackley Agt
Herkim

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Peleg Freeman Herkimer 6 o N.Y.
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Arrest 1779 1 Private Capt Ezra Henry Col. Sizer Fort Gris Town of Poestenkill Traditionary   Enlisted 7 Corporal Capt Nathan Ledyard Gen. Arnold 65 yrs old   Subst. 1780 2 Capt. Nathan Ledyard Col. Ledyard London   for Capt. William Age 75   Death Conn.   Substituted for   Elizal Stanton 2 Corporal Capt Jas. Smith Col. Smith Minden  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

RECORDED
3782
cur
P. O.
Deleg. Newman
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
Out of Do. Scanned for

To J. L. Edwards Commission of Pensions

To J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
The Agent for Peleg Freeman does not see that there can be any objection under the note (e) unless it be that he has not stated the christian name of Col. Ledyard. The Declarant did not know, and most of the Histories do not give it.
Peleg Freeman died in February last, and no amendment can be made unless allowed to be made by his Executors. The papers are authenticated anew, and as there can be no doubt of the services of Mr. Freeman it is hoped that his Pension may be granted, & that his Executors may be enabled to dispose of the amount to the drawers, according to his directions in his Will, made a few days before his death.

New York
Revs:
Peleg Freeman
Rejected
let. to Hackley
5 Aug? '33. See case Frederick Christman R. 1941
Act. 7 June '32

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Freeman, Peter GRADE Private LINE Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER 5784 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Oct. 7, 1789 to Benjamin Tallmadge
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.